Courts / Dublin / Report
Mr Flashy's brother gets five years for firing assault rifle from back of house
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 7 April 2025, Eric O'Driscoll, aged 23, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle in Finglas on 1 January 2022. The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended, and the court imposed a one‑year restriction on O'Driscoll's association with six named individuals. The judge noted O'Driscoll's youth, lack of prior convictions, and his willingness to cooperate with probation. The case stemmed from video evidence on O'Driscoll's phone showing him and his brother Glen Ward, aged 32, firing the rifle from the back door of a house in Finglas. Ward pleaded guilty to the same offence and faces sentencing later in 2025. Ward has 20 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, and one for assault and criminal damage. The court described the videos as a "display of strength" intended to intimidate. The hearing was presided over by Ms Justice Melanie Greally.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mr Flashy's brother gets five years for firing assault rifle from back of house. Charges or matters: the charge that on January 1, 2022, at an address in Finglas, he possessed or had control of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose; the same offence as his brother. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1, 2022 Incident
- February 2022 Other
- 2025-04-07 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the charge that on January 1, 2022, at an address in Finglas, he possessed or had control of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose; the same offence as his brother (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Melanie Greally, presiding at the three-judge court, sentenced O'Driscoll to six years in prison with the final 12 months suspended. He said he accepts that he will face a custodial sentence but if the court suspends any part, Ward will also enter a bond not to associate with the six individuals.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin house
- Special Criminal Court
- High Court
Topics
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